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WATCH: Terry McLaurin makes spectacular catch to set up Washington TD

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•09/12/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Scott Taetsch via Getty Images.

Terry McLaurin is making a strong case for the NFL’s catch of the year already. In the third quarter of the Washington Football Team‘s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, McLaurin hauled in an impressive catch on the sideline on a ball that seemingly went through the hands of the defender.

Taylor Heinicke, who replaced injured Washington starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, delivered the pass to McLaurin. A defender jumped up as McLaurin fell to the ground, and somehow McLaurin came down with the ball and managed to stay in bounds while doing so. The play went for 37 yards and advanced the ball up to the Chargers’ 11-yard line.

On the next play, Heinicke connected with tight end Logan Thomas on an 11-yard touchdown to give Washington a 16-13 lead early in the third quarter. The catch was McLaurin’s third of the game, and all three of his first catches came on that offensive possession.

McLaurin has established himself as an elite receiver for Washington

McLaurin played four seasons at Ohio State before heading to the NFL. He did not see any action on offense as a freshman, but carved out a role for himself in the next three seasons.

As a sophomore in 2016, McLaurin had 11 receptions, 114 yards and two touchdowns. In 2017, he had 29 receptions with 436 yards and six touchdowns. McLaurin caught 35 passes with 701 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Washington selected him 76th overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

McLaurin immediately became a vital part of Washington’s offense when he arrived to the NFL as a rookie. In his rookie season in 2019, McLaurin caught 58 passes with 919 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, McLaurin had 87 receptions, 1,118 yards and four touchdowns with subpar quarterback play.

Washington brought in Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries, and Dyami Brown to try and give the offense more weapons behind McLaurin. McLaurin is emerging as one of the NFL’s best young wideouts, and if Washington’s offense improves behind better weapons, the team could again finish atop the NFC East.